Getting a cat with no cat flap?

MalMonroe

Hi, you are overthinking things.

I've owned a few cats for over forty years (sadly, obviously, quite a few losses) and cats do adapt. I wouldn't leave a cat outside for hours on end. Cats do get used to being inside if they have a windowsill they can sit on to connect with the outside world and if they have some toys, scratching posts (essential) and a litter tray. Most cats, in my experience, know exactly what to do with a litter tray - all you have to do is make sure they know where it is. If they have been living in a shelter it's like second nature to them. Cats don't need constant entertainment. You can leave one or two bowls of biscuits (I wouldn't leave 'wet' food as it goes off quite quickly) or even more if necessary, so they don't starve to death and also, obviously, water.

When you get home you can offer your cat the option of going outside for a while, or staying in. Some cats love going out and some hate the cold (whether or not they have a fur coat). Most cats love a cuddle with their owners - but they're all different, with their own different personalities. We've never left a cat out all night. 

If you can give a cat a warm, loving and safe home, that really is the main thing. Whether your home is large or small is irrelevant.

As you say, cat adoption places are very strict but that's only for the benefit of the cats they rehome. If your home isn't suitable they will tell you why.

Good luck! But don't let the small stuff put you off giving a needy animal a good home. 

 

TripleH

We lived in a flar on the 4th floor. We couldn't have a cat flap in the door to the balcony but left a window open and a strategic plant pot enabled access to the balcony for younger 2 (at the time), oldest wasn't bothered and happy to get let out on balcony when we were there.

Now we planned to leave little window to back courtyard open for ours to get in and out when they pleased in our newish home.

Problem is that we lost eldest and our new youngest is a tinker who goes off exploring out the garden (if no supervision). This is an issue because our older 2 who can leave the garden have tried following him out but lack common sense and would get lost.

Our 3rd cat is a Maine Coon and cannot get out like the others but may cause a panic due to her size if she gets out.

Mrs_Z

Hi, you have some options I think....
You could re-home an indoor only cat, one with a disability or maybe an older cat (they generally prefer staying indoors more).  
Personally, I like cats having a choice whether or not to go outside.
We currently have 4 cats and 3 of them use the cat flap, 1 does not - although they all prefer to have a porter service, ie someone opening and closing the patio doors for them (it's full time job in the summer )
But if we are going out, we make sure that the 1 cat who does not use the cat flap is indoors. Needless to say we have litter trays inside.
We also operate a cat curfew just before it gets dark... earlier in the winter, later in the summer.  So this time of the year, all cats must be indoors around 4pm and the cat flap gets locked for the night. They get used to the 'rules' surprisingly quickly.
All of ours are rescues - the first 2, had never been allowed outdoors. We adopted them aged 5, and they just adore the garden, especially in the summer.
With cats 3 & 4, the elderly one (13yrs), has only been outside a handful of times, despite being a regular outdoor cat in his previous home. Cat no 4, who is around 5yrs, had been a bit of a roamer and struggled a bit with the curfew to start with, but has got used to it now.  We've gone as far as putting a towel on front of the cat flap when it's locked, in the hope that they understand that when the towel is on it, it's locked.  
I don't know if you have a garden, but you could also maybe consider some kind of cat house which is nice and warm where the cat has access to if you decide to leave it outdoors for the day.  

[Deleted User]

I've always had cats and never a catflap - litter trays are no more hassle than poo bags when you're out with your dogs - so if you're not up for poo, pee, and puke you'll not be great with a cat - or dog !

If you carry out some research/due diligence you'll know that cats brain/mental age is that of a toddler (dogs of a 6 year old (or is it 8 ?)  child) so you need to allow for when they're spooked/frightened/aggressor neighbour cats .... have they got access to safety of their sanctuary ?

It's kinder to leave your pet indoors when you're out at work and then offer it to go out when you get home than shutting it out whilst you are out.
Keeping a cat outdoors at night again raises the issue of safety, plus, it's not kind - you have a pet not something that's going to live outdoors for 10-12 hours a day/overnight.

Bottom line is - you have a pet for its sake aswell as yours so consider it.
Having a pet just for our/your benefit isn't nice, you have a pet to spoil it and treat it well.

If a cat leaves home it's for a reason - they like a quiet, warm, and loving environment, the opposite of that means they'll likely leave your hotel for another that offers better amenities !!! 

I'm a dog and cat person !